Speaking of Earth Day…

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Schenectady, continues to condemn the Legislature’s reliance on paper to print copies for each lawmaker of the thousands of bills proposed each year, as well as reports and other documents. According to Tedisco, it costs $13 million for legislative printing and millions more for the state to collect and dispose of all the paper waste.

Tedisco said in a statement today that he was celebrating Earth Day by encouraging his colleagues to opt out of receiving hard copies of legislative reports and other documents that are available in digital format. Earth Day is tomorrow.

“On Earth Day, as Assembly members, we can do our part to reduce the Legislature’s carbon footprint and save taxpayers money by unsubscribing from the Legislative Digest and scores of other paperwork that’s already accessible online,” he said.

“Hundreds of thousands of pieces of paper are needlessly printed each year by the Legislature, much of it going unread and tossed into landfills. This is no way to treat Mother Earth or taxpayers funds,” he added.

Tedisco has proposed two bills aimed at reducing paper waste in state government. The first would end the practice of placing paper copies of bills on every legislator’s desk. That would require a change to the constitution, which means the legislation would have to pass in two separate legislative terms and then go before voters. The second bill would not require an amendment to the constitution. It would eliminate automatic bill printing. Lawmakers would have to print their own copies, if necessary.